When I Run, I Leave My Dreams Behind

God-sized Dream = A desire in your heart for more of what God has for you.

We’re opening the door to God-sized dreams in 2013. So every week we get together to encourage each other {because don’t we all need it? yes, ma’am.}. This week Sherri Ohler is here to share about God-sized dreams with you…

Praying Psalm 143:8 is the perfect way to start each day, wouldn’t you agree?

There was an ordinary boy who, as a child, would make believe that he was a prince and prance around his mother’s kitchen wearing a crown made of nothing more than humble vines. Never mind that he was dreaming dreams beyond his family’s lineage, he was sure that someday he would get to at least visit the castle.

At sixteen, with childish hopes of being a prince still quietly dancing in his heart, the boys dream was joyously revived as he was finally invited to serve in the King’s castle.

Excited & dressed in his Sunday best he reported to the throne for duty. With a smile on his face, a bow of respect in his posture and an air of readiness in his demeanor, he earnestly awaited his orders.

Knowing the boy was strong & fast and wanting to put his gifts to good use, the King asked him to gather all the fallen vegetables from the royal crops, and take them into town to give to the poor. As the boy ran off , the King reveled in high hoped satisfaction in His choice of the boy.

The young man zealously set about his work, in awe that the King would give him such an important task for his very first. Gathering as quickly as he could, he filled his baskets and ran toward town to carry out the rest of his assignment.

When He saw the grateful faces of the townspeople he was filled with love and decided that He would go above & beyond what was asked by the King, and went on to clean, peel, chop and serve the harvest to the people. (In his gumption, he failed to realize that he had not only just taken work from of one of the poorest families in all the kingdom, but also shortened the life of all the food!)

Certain that the King would be impressed that he took it upon himself to further serve the townspeople, he headed back to the castle with a spring in his step and a bit of pride in his heart as he dreamed of the accolades He would receive when he got there.

To his dismay, the King was saddened at his late arrival. He told the boy of how he had been watching his life for some time, had been impressed with his character and had chosen him and one other to come serve at the castle so that he could choose one of them to marry his only daughter, the Princess.

When he hadn’t returned for his next assignment, the King decided that the boy’s heart was easily distracted and prone to pride & self direction, and that he was not yet ready for marriage, and the Princess and the Crown were given to the other boy.

The End.

Yikes! In my story, the boy was so wrapped up in doing what He thought the King would want, that he had no idea that his lifelong dream of becoming a Prince was just hours away from coming true, and in the end his dream was given to someone else because the King still needed a Prince for his daughter.

Is God looking for another to fulfill the dreams that He first gave you?

When God speaks we can listen, we can ignore or we can listen and run ahead. Unfortunately, as I chase my God-sized dreams, I seem to always do the latter, no matter how many times I hit a wall. In His amazing and glorious grace, He keeps shining up a new crown for me and waiting for me to run back to Him to receive it. He is the Giver & Fulfiller of all my dreams, if in my own gumption I run ahead of Him, I am leaving my dreams, and the crown of them coming true- behind.

How about you? Do you tend to sit still and pretend God didn’t speak to your heart? Are you one that gets it right and only takes one step at a time? Or do you , like me, charge ahead with an “I’ll take it from here” attitude? Whichever category you fall into, we have something to learn from each other and I’d love to hear from your heart!

*****

Sherri Ohler,previously a pastry chef and cooking instructor, is a licensed artist who is always looking for new ways to bring together her love of art & aesthetics, and passion for food in ways that bless & inspire others. She is planning & hosting upcoming creative workshops and retreats in hopes of using her art to elevate ordinary life into what God truly intends it to be by inspiring joy, encouraging faith & creating beauty. You will find Sherri painting & designing in her home studio in Geneva, Illinois where she lives with her husband Randy. She is mom to two beautiful daughters, October and Ivy, and step mom to one spunky 11 year old named Cheney.

Now it’s your turn!

For this week: “Sometimes we feel alone not because we need to be with others but because God wants to be with us. Our lives are busy–especially when we’re pursuing a dream–and God may want to pull us aside for a bit” {You’re Made for a God-sized Dream, Chapter Six}. The most important part of any God-sized dream is the Giver of it. Set aside a particular time this week to be with Him–to pray, journal, take a walk or simply sit quietly and listen. Write a post sharing what your heart hears or receives then link it up below.

So we can all find each other, please include this God-sized Dreams button in your post. Also, love on your fellow God-sized dreamin’ sisters by leaving a comment on the post before yours.

For next week: take this “do what you can” step for your God-sized dream…Take some time to play. Do something creative. Snap a picture. Build a Pinterest board. Make a craft. Read a book. Bake a treat. Wrestle with your kids. Whatever energizes you. It can be related to your God-sized Dream in some way or totally different. Sometimes along the way to our dreams we just need a little time to play. It helps us keep going and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. Share about what you did in a post and link it up here next week!

Comments

Thank you for that Sherri. I do sometimes run ahead or get lost in the “I am not worthy for such as this”….I have a book in my heart that would , I believe, help many women, like the ones in my prison Bible study…I have writtten and rewritten it, but felt that I did not know the Lord well enough to share what He has done in my life with others. I am trying to slow down and “listen” to what He wants and taking those steps one at a time. I do KNOW that He has kept me here to do His work for His kingdom…In His Name, judie

Judie, thank you so much for your open and honest comment. On the one hand I think it is so awesome that you are sitting at His feet waiting for Him to lead-that’s a must! But on the other hand, your words, “but felt that I did not know the Lord well enough to share what He has done in my life with others” does NOT sound like God at all! That sounds more like the enemy wanting to keep you quiet!!! My prayer for you is that you would BOLDLY shout from the mountain tops what the Lord has done for you in your book, then wait for Him to open the doors to get it out there and into the right hands! (Preaching to myself here! lol) “I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us– yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses” Isaiah 63:7
God bless you sister,
Sherri

This story (Sheri Ohler) left me feeling awful. Sometimes as mere mortals we miss it even when we are most trying to please the king. While I agree with not running ahead of God, which I at times do, other times I take things one step at a time, praying and discerning and seeking counsel along the way. (And then I still miss it ) It seems a rather harsh story that punishes a boy for going above and beyond especially when he saw the grateful faces and was filled with love. He later was looking for the acolades which speaks of pride, but our king doesn’t place a dream in our hearts and then rip it away because we were trying too hard. God still has a plan for us even if our path meanders a bit to get there, if deep in our hearts we still have the desire to please him. Saying he will pass it off easily to someone else, would leave anyone, in the mortal category feeling like they could never please Him nor were truly loved by Him.

Mary, thank you so very much for your heartfelt comment! It really made me stop and think and I totally understand where you are coming from. If you read the recap to my story, I sing of God’s grace toward us as He shines up a new crown for me each and every time I run ahead.

We can learn from to Mordecai’s words to Esther…”For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

This illustrates that God’s purposes must and will go on, that doesn’t mean we aren’t given another chance, or that Him fulfilling His purposes by using someone else is His ‘punishment’, only that we absolutely can choose, by standing still (Esther) or running ahead (think Sarai!) that we can miss a crown that he had originally offered to us!

I hope this makes you feel a bit better and gives you heart understanding from a different angle that maybe you didn’t see before 🙂 Again, thanks for stretching my thinking a bit-I needed that! God bless you in all you do Mary!
Peace & joy,
Sherri

Oh Sherri how you read my mind! This is exactly what my letter is about! Your art if of course beautiful!!! And your story is thought provoking. Thanks for sharing your life and heart with us. With Joy, Carey

I actually liked the story because we are often used to happy endings but many fairy tales did not have happy endings (The Aesop Fables). Their purpose was to teach a moral or a lesson. As a former teacher of first graders, I could hear the discussion and charts and math lessons from who thought the boy did right or not. At a glance, I may appear to be on God’s path of life, but if I’m not in His Word and if I’m complaining, then I’m robbed of a blessing God had planned. It does not mean I miss out forever, but God will as my Shepherd guide and direct me on the path. I’m disabled now with a traumatic brain issue. I did not choose this path. My many trials are confusing for I do not understand things. My area to control emotions is now atrophied–gone–so I often cry with deep sorrow. Yet also I do not have inhibitions that a non injured person has. In my situation I’m blessed, so thankful, that it means I easily share my faith and how much Jesus loves them and that God loves them that much He gave His Son for them. I openly pray with strangers and doctors. I don’t think I’d have ever chosen this path…it hurts and its lonely and I’m often sick and have nearly died more than a few times…but this is the path of life I am on. Stripped of my intelligence, health, speech and word finding at times, recognition of people I know, great fear of strangers (I have no fight/flight), falsely accused, abandoned by friends and family, loss of all income, medical bills, not able to attend church as it is hard to be with so much going on and noises, seizures…yet tonight my friend, a nonbeliever, called and I prayed with her over a serious situation and then another one, and then retold her even more about The Lord and how I appreciate her. So the path I’d have chosen? No not this. I had dreams. But God is, my husband said tonight, using me in such unusual ways at McDonalds on a Friday night while traveling and we stop for a break. The Holy Spirit leads me to talk to two very strong teens there. I even share Christ and ask if I can pray. My husband watched and said, the one so willing to listen and pray…well his friend was quiet, but he was really listening. How do we know but that our entire trip was so you could speak to these teens? And yet, the injury leaves me so tired and so the tears run down as I listen and pray as I listen to the Christian song Worn.
Ah this is long…another injury thing I’m told but maybe someone somewhere can glean a bit from how God takes a path of life and directs our steps and gently guides us as a shepherd guides his sheep. Blessings, Gwen

Gwen,
So touched by your story…how God has brought beauty from ashes in your life. What grace that, in your pain, you are bold in sharing Christ’s message with those who so desperately need to hear. God has obviously led you on a path you would not have chosen, but I hear, in your word, how God is redeeming others through your suffering. God bless you sister in Christ!
Bev

Gwen, Your story is incredible, and so lovely. I want to start first and foremost by saying that in no way does your writing reflect being ‘stripped of your intelligence’. It is SO well written and profound and brought many tears and smiles to my heart all at once! You are amazing! And although you would never have chosen your life in it’s current state-the most beautiful thing in the world is seeing someone serve and praise the Lord unconditionally, and you are doing that with such incredible GRACE. I am so thankful that you shared your story here, and know that I have prayed for more opportunity for you to do just that! Onward Christian soldier! You are the light of the world and are shining it so wonderfully perfectly!
May God bless you more abundantly than you ever thought possible,
Sherri

Sherri,
Wow…hit me right between the eyes. Like you, I get caught up in my zealousness sometimes and I think I can take it from here. Meanwhile, I may be stealing someone else’s dream or job in the Kingdom. Thank you for the reminder to not get so far ahead of myself that I leave the dream behind…also I pray that God would remove any sense of self pride from my dream. Thank you for sharing…
Blessings,
Bev

So awesome Bev! I was preaching to myself with this entire story! (Funny how God does that Lol) So glad you were able to find encouragement and blessing from my little parable 🙂 May He bless all of your endeavors and may you never stop seeking His perfect will for your DREAMS.
In His perfect peace & love,
sherri

Oh yes, I can relate to running ahead with “my plan”. A few months ago, I felt led to open up my home to begin a Bible Study. I announced it to the church in good faith…….. On the first day two ladies came…. For the second study, no one came………. sigh…… The Holy Spirit led me to truly begin searching my heart. With His strength I once again got up in front of my Church body and confessed I had missed God, but my heart was in the right place….. I had such wonderful peace knowing had done what He had led me to do….. My God-sized dream is to minister and teach the Word on a daily basis… For now God has me in a classroom leading morning prayer and i.e., teaching the Word to a faithful group of 4 other staff members. Thank you for your encouraging story……….

Bonnie I recently had a very similar experience!!!!! I felt led to start Art Journaling workshops in my home studio with like results and had to revisit the Lord and His leading. He is SO GRACIOUS! I love hearing how He redirected your path and that you are finding joy in where He has you for right now 🙂
So many blessings to you and your ministry!
Sherri

Holley THANK YOU for inviting me to be here today. 🙂 What a huge blessing it is to get to know your readers a bit! I have a class from 9-1 CT today but can’t wait to come back and finish responding to everyone’s beautiful comments! (Gwen! So much I can’t wait to say to you and your fabulous heart!!!)
I’ll be back in just a bit!
Sherri

Loved how you tied this to a childlike story and made the application so meaningful to us adults who are so used to running ahead of God…maybe if I can start now teaching and training my children how to listen for God each step of the way, some of it may rub off on me…:)…thank you for your lovely story! A great reminder and illustration I shall not soon forget…hopefully…well, I probably will! :0

LOL! Caoljean I love your honesty 😀 I pray that the Lord would bring this story to your rememberence as often as you need it 😉 Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words.
So much joy to you and yours,
Sherri

Sherri awesome post! I love how you took the story and tied it to serving our Heavenly Father. I have been both examples plus another. I have, in eagerness to serve God, gone ahead of Him without asking if this is where He wants me to go next. I have taken the path He asked and remained there serving joyfully. But I have also did a complete 180 by hearing His Call and in fear, turned around running not doing what He Called me to do. Everyday, I strive during my morning time to offer Him my schedule and let Him lead my day. Not a 100% there yet but it is getting better.

Thank you Nellieeeeeee!:) You are such a blessing to me. Thanks for your honesty about running in fear, I think we all (I know I) have been there as well! I don’t think we get to live at 100% in any area until we go HOME. But it’s such a blessing spurring each other on to try!
God bless you 100 fold for all you do for others sweet sister!
Sherri

Hello Sherri,
My God-sized dream is very similar to yours. I have been dreaming of having my own art studio ( for many years now) to teach art and to offer workshops and retreats and to be a blessing to others. I have found that it’s not God’s timing for me to do this. I have tried on my own to make it happen but there are roadblocks. So, I do what I can and wait patiently for God. Because if my dream ever comes to fruition I’ll know that it was Him who made it happen. However, God may have different plans for me. Blessings on your endeavors.

Hi Terry! I can encourage you by saying that not every road block is God’s answer to stop trying. I have had such a difficult road getting to this place and the roadblocks and hurdles literally set in IMMEDIATELY as I ventured out. You can read a bit more about how I got to this part of my journey right here…http://sherriohler.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/thank-full-doesnt-even-come-close-words-to-live-by/ I think it may help you persevere and trust that He will bring your hearts desires about if you are surrendering those desires to Him! Just prayed for you to be blessed in your endeavors, and for Him to use the gifts He has given you to bless others! In Jesus name,
Amen!
xo,
Sherri

Dear Sherri,
Thank you so much for responding. You have given me hope and joy knowing that you also had difficulties starting your God-sized dream. We often read about others successes and think that they didn’t have struggles. You know the butterfly has special meaning to me. It is God’s symbol for me to trust Him. It’s no accident that when I read about your journey that your painting of a butterfly appeared. I now certainly have renewed hope in the timing of my heavenly Father. However, I also have to work hard and persevere.
Thank you Sherri :):)

Terry I am SO glad to hear that you’re encouraged! That is what this is all about 🙂 THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting me know that, my heart is full!

I have another Butterfly painting called ‘Patience’ that says “We grow our wings in the waiting.” I created it to send a message back to me to RELAX and wait on the Lord because only goodness can come when I do that 🙂 We are truly kindred hearts my dear!
Know that you and your dream are prayed for <3
xo,
Sherri

Thank you Paula! I totally, TOTALLY struggle with the waiting part as well. I wrote this story about 3 months ago-and just YESTERDAY was shown by my mentor how I was trying to figure out how to make something happen AGAIN instead of waiting for God to guide with His next perfect step. You’d think I’d have learned by now right! Lol SO thankful for hindsight 20/20 and really good counsel in my life, and of course GOD’S GRACE!
Many blessings as you follow His perfect timing toward your dream come true!
Sherri

Dolly thank you for taking the time to thank me! Lol I could learn so much from you! I think lagging behind a bit is pretty normal, wanting to be so sure that we hear Him correctly which is a really good thing. (That would balance my run ahead nature a bit now wouldn’t it!)
God bless you as you listen step by step <3
sherri

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